Saturday, September 12, 2009

The Laying On Of Hands
Ordination to the sacred ministry is the election by God of men who are to propagate the Word to reconcile man with his Creator. The laying on of the hands of the elder or Church Administrator is an investiture of the divine and holy character that elevates the ordinand to a position of dignity and honor, giving him the privilege to offer God his best service and the power and authority to lead the Church congregation in public worship.

This is an invitation to an event held by the Iglesia ni Kristo which includes the programme. An excerpt of the introductory part on the left page translates in English as:
“Gentlemen: We cordially invite your majesty to the celebration concerning the THANKSGIVING due to the FIFTH YEAR LIFE of “IGLESIA NI KRISTO” in the Philippines and the LAYING OF HANDS on brother Felix Manalo in the duty of Pastor and Administrator of the Church.”
What was to take place in the event? “…the LAYING OF HANDS on brother Felix Manalo in the duty of Pastor and Administrator of the Church.” So someone laid hands on Felix Manalo. But why is this not being taught to the members? Why are they keeping the details secret? The answer is in the document. On the right page, no. 7, they have enumerated the names of those who laid hands on and ordained Felix Manalo.

TRANSLATION:
“At the end of this publication, we now ought to reject the catholic priests and the protestant pastors, for they are ministers of satan. We also ought to reject the Catholic Church and the different protestant churches, for they are not of God, but of satan or the devil. Rejecting them and their erroneous doctrines is your obedience to God, to Christ and to the Apostles.”

Thursday, September 10, 2009

In 1938, a circular was issued in the Iglesia Ni Kristo signed by Felix Manalo’s minister Teodoro Santiago. Santiago is one of the 14 students during Manalo’s first batch of ministerial class; one of the three ministers ordained during the first ordination presided by Manalo (the other two being Justino Casanova and Federico Inocencio); and the first Division Minister/Administrator of the Iglesia Ni Manalo, assigned in Pampanga division in 1924. Santiago’s Circular conveys the true feelings of Felix Manalo regarding his church. It carries a very grave message. (To enlarge image, press Ctrl +.)

TRANSLATION:

“GENERAL OFFICE OF THE IGLESIA NI KRISTO
IN THE PHILIPPINE ARCHIPELAGO

“TO ALL BRETHREN
IN ALL PLACES OF THE IGLESIA NI KRISTO
“WELL-BELOVED BRETHREN:
“I appeal to you in this letter and inform you of the happenings that we did not expect to come. Brother Manalo wants to abandon us and he would like to start anew. More certainly, meaning we shall all be excommunicated, and he shall begin to dedicate a new ministry. The reason for this is the misbehavior of the present Ministers. First, what brother Andres Tucker did, which is truly grave in his heart, is that wherever he was assigned the frauds and deceits and borrowing of money from brethren was extreme, that according to him, the Church is becoming an instrument of a filthy lifestyle.
“What grieves him about the brethren, even though he prohibited the borrowing and lending [of money] it is not being kept, that in this manner they become instruments of the Devil to the blemishing of the Church. Second, the forgiving of the Ministers in duties that must be embraced with complete enthusiasm and dedication and the unrestrained manner of speaking in propaganda and worship [service] that gives offense to and degrades the Church. The lack of Spiritual life and lack of dedication to progress to respond to the requirement of the duty one holds the same which gives him exasperation and disappointment, as though being a minister is an employment or livelihood, the presumption according to form and movement seen in ministers, and the lack of trust and confidence in what God can do.
“Third, the lack of care of the Deacons in handling duty and the lack of respect to duty and to [the] faith, in the way that they get angry with each other that leads their resentment to hatred and the lack of concern in maintaining good relationship in all of the brethren inside the Church.
“Fourth, the frequent ruining of the money collected for the construction of chapels or for buying lands in the hands of the [overseers] in different locations and the lack of faithfulness in collecting money the brethren consecrated unto God, whether during Thursday, for the chapel, or for buying land. There is no evidence of the amount of money contributed and there is no name of the contributor and there is no date of when it was received and there are no certain and clear reports for the brethren regarding the inflow of the money and the expenses, such thing which blemishes the Church. And it brings sin and offense unto the brethren.
“Fifth, it is frequently being taught to all who have duties what ought to be done according to the will of God and with faithfulness. This is not being kept by the Ministers, by many Head Deacons and by Deacons, by the committees on the construction of chapels or buying of lands, by Treasurers, and even by the brethren who do not obey the ordinances of the Circular.
“All this mentioned above are the reasons of Brother Manalo in separating from us. But I and Brother Liloy are stopping him and we promised that we will inform the concerned and will ask them of their decision.
“Brethren-Ministers, Workers, Head Deacons, Deacons, Treasurers, or to all of you in the whole Church, I ask of you to make a letter, promising that you will keep and embrace all of the policies of the Church, to the fulfillment of all the will of God unto the salvation from crooked ways mentioned in this letter. As soon as possible send your letters to our Office, that we may remain in the calling of God given to us. And in the end, read Heb. 13:17, 19-22. After you read this letter, read these verses, and it shall be explained by the Teacher or Minister assigned to you. Obey what it says.
“Your brother in Christ,
(Sgd.) T. Santiago
“TEODORO SANTIAGO”

Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 43:10,11 - “You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no Savior.”Revelation 1:17-18; Revelation 2:8 - (Jesus is the First and the Last)

Isaiah 44:6 - (God is the Redeemer)2 Peter 1:1 (Jesus is the Redeemer) - “To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ”

John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... 1:14 - And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,

John 5:17,18 - “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” Therefore the Jews sought to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.

John 5:23 - that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

John 8:24 - “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I AM He, you will die in your sins.”

John 8:58 - Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

John 10:30-33 - Jesus answered them, “I and My Father are one.” Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”

John 14:6-7 - Jesus said to him, “I AM the way, the truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

John 14:9-11 - Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?”

John 20:28 - And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

Acts 4:12 - “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Philippians 2:5-7 - Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond-servant, and coming in the likeness of men.

1 Timothy 3:16 - And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

Titus 2:13 - looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ

Hebrews 1:8,9 - But to the Son He (God) says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”

2 John 1:7 - For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Revelation 1:8 - “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 22:13 - “I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”... 22:16 - “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches.”

Hebrews 2:17,18 - “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”Hebrews 4:15,16 - “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”1 Peter 2:24 - “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we having died to sins, might live for righteousness - by whose stripes you were healed.”

He went from sovereignty to shame and from deity to death? Why!? For you.John 15:13 - “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.”Romans 5:8 - “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Monday, September 7, 2009

1. The mark comes from the beast, which represents the Roman Catholic Church.2. The Mark of the Beast is deceptive and so is not obvious. (Revelation 19:20)3. The warning against the mark will be given with a loud voice, thus it must be clear and easy to understand. (Revelation 14:9)4. The three angels reveal a comprehensive message from God before the second coming of Jesus Christ to the entire world to help people understand the mark. (Revelation 14:6-16)5. The mark involves a special sin against God Himself, for those who receive it will drink the wine of His wrath. (Revelation 14:9-11)6. The mark will be received on the forehead, which represents the mind, or on the hand, which represents the actions. (Revelation 14:9; Deuteronomy 6:5-8; 11:18)7. The mark has something to do with the changing of God’s law. (compare Daniel 7:25 with Revelation 13:16 and see Deuteronomy 6:5-8)8. Those who worship Jesus Christ as Creator will not get the mark. (Revelation 14:7, 9-11)9. Those who keep the Ten Commandments will not get the mark. (Revelation 14:9, 12)10. 666 is the number of a mans name from the beast power that we have to add or count. (Revelation 13:17-18)